The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has reacted constructively to a series of findings by the Ombudsman related to how it carried out remote tests as part of the recruitment process for the EU civil service.

In response to four cases where the Ombudsman had found maladministration, EPSO offered the candidates concerned the possibility to redo the tests. The complainants had encountered a variety of problems when they first took the remote tests administered by EPSO’s contractor, including technical problems in launching tests, a lack of or improperly working tools on the testing platform, and excessively long waiting times before a supervisor was available.

In addition to the cases where the Ombudsman found maladministration, EPSO settled a further two cases during the course of the Ombudsman’s inquiries by deciding to invite the complainants to retake the tests.

In response to a suggestion and remarks by the Ombudsman in two other testing-related inquiries, EPSO also said it would ensure it is possible to retroactively review the functionality of tools used by candidates during the tests and make it possible in the future to automatically provide candidates with a copy of their answers and the correct answers after testing.

Relevant inquiries

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) dealt with a complaint about technical problems in a selection procedure (EPSO/AST/155/22 - Assistants in the field of operational security) - 413/2023/MAG

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) handled a complaint concerning issues in the context of remote testing as part of selection procedure EPSO/AST/151/22-3 - 1027/2023/MAG

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) handled a complaint concerning the unavailability of proctors during a remote test in a selection procedure for EU staff EPSO/AD/398/22 - 1030/2023/MAG

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) handled a complaint concerning technical difficulties experienced during remote testing - 1735/2023/MAG

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) handled a complaint concerning technical issues during a remote test for an EU staff selection procedure - 1039/2023/MAG

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) no longer providing candidates with access to their answers and to the correct answers in the multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQ) - 1360/2024/MAG

How the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) dealt with technical issues in the remote testing in an EU staff selection procedure - 34/2024/MAG

How EPSO dealt with technical issues experienced by a candidate in selection procedure EPSO/AD/398/22 - 261/2024/MAG

On February 11, 2025, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, met with the Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Mikheil Sarjveladze.

The parties discussed the current situation in the country in the psychiatric field and the recommendations developed by the Public Defender for the development of mental health services. They also emphasized the importance of cooperation between agencies in the process of eliminating challenges.

The meeting was attended by the Deputies of the Public Defender, Elene Ghudushauri and Irine Chikhladze, and employees of the Office, as well as Deputy Minister of Health Irine Tsakadze and other representatives.

El Ararteko se suma a esta declaración de la ENOC, que considera necesario establecer garantías eficaces para asegurar la protección efectiva de los derechos de estos menores, ya que el Pacto suscita preocupación por el trato que pudieran recibir en las fronteras europeas.

La Red Europea de Defensorías de Infancia (ENOC), que agrupa a 44 organismos de defensa de los derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes de 34 países de Europa, ha expresado de manera reiterada y persistente su preocupación por la situación de las niñas, niños y adolescentes migrantes, emitiendo una serie de recomendaciones relativas a ellos y a la necesidad de aumentar la protección de sus derechos de conformidad con la normativa internacional y regional.

Desde 2015, millones de niños, niñas y adolescentes han llegado a Europa en busca de seguridad y protección. Desde 2020 se han registrado más de 800.000 nuevas solicitudes de asilo de menores de edad en los países de la Unión Europea (UE), de las cuales, más de 113.000 corresponden a menores no acompañados o separados de sus familias.

Ahora que los Estados miembros de la UE se preparan para aplicar el Pacto sobre Migración y Asilo adoptado el 10 de abril de 2024, ENOC considera necesario establecer garantías eficaces para asegurar la protección efectiva de los derechos de estos niños, niñas y adolescentes, ya que el Pacto suscita preocupación por el trato que pudieran recibir en las fronteras europeas.

A menos que los mecanismos de reparto de responsabilidades y solidaridad previstos por el Pacto sean realmente eficaces, éste no resolverá la "presión" sobre los Estados de primera entrada. Para mitigar el riesgo de que se produzcan vulneraciones de los derechos humanos en las fronteras y de que se erosione aún más el derecho a solicitar asilo, se deben establecer suficientes garantías de los derechos humanos, incluidos mecanismos de supervisión eficaces e independientes, evaluaciones cuidadosas de la vulnerabilidad y derivación rápida a servicios adaptados (como servicios de protección a la infancia y asistencia sanitaria), provisión de información crítica y asistencia jurídica, sistemas para la investigación nacional rápida y eficaz de presuntos malos tratos.

La UE y sus Estados miembros deben dar prioridad a las inversiones económicas y operativas para dotar adecuadamente de recursos a los sistemas nacionales de asilo y acogida. En lugar de intentar disuadir a toda costa a la gente de llegar a Europa, los Estados deberían centrarse en defender los derechos fundamentales y la dignidad de las personas.

El Ararteko, miembro de la red ENOC, se suma a esta declaración institucional ad hoc sobre la protección de sus derechos. 

DECLARACIÓN INSTITUCIONAL DE LA ENOC

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 12 de febrero de 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, visited the UNHCR Malta offices in Ta` Xbiex following an invitation for a briefing session aimed at discussing the Ombudsman’s recent proposal to broaden the remit of the Office to include the promotion and protection of human rights. The new Ombudsman Bill as proposed seeks to align the Office of the Ombudsman with the Paris Principles of the United Nations and consequently qualify to become the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) for Malta. The meeting also provided an insight on the work and initiatives undertaken by UNHCR Representation to Malta with a view to explore and develop areas of mutual collaboration.

In her opening remarks, Ms Parvina Munovarova, Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR Malta, expressed the organisation`s positive response to the proposal and voiced hope that the Government would support the initiative to extend the Ombudsman’s mandate to include the promotion and protection of human rights. Ms Munovarova commended the Ombudsman’s efforts, noting that they align with UNHCR Representation to Malta`s mission to uphold and strengthen human rights protections in Malta.

Ms Munovarova provided an overview of UNHCR Representation to Malta’s key activities and priorities, noting that as of June 2024, Malta hosted 6,272 refugees and subsidiary protection holders and issued temporary protection to 2,955 Ukrainian citizens, the majority of them, around 2500, are still living in Malta.. UNHCR Representation to Malta’s work focuses on safeguarding the rights and well-being of asylum-seekers, refugees, subsidiary and temporary protection status holders and stateless people.  A key part of its  mandate involves monitoring access to territory, asylum and reception conditions, ensuring individuals in need of protection are treated in accordance with international standards.

UNHCR also plays a critical role in advocating for a protection-sensitive asylum system, promoting inclusive policies  that respect the dignity of forcibly displaced and stateless persons while ensuring fair and efficient procedures. UNHCR actively strives to strengthen the capacities of government bodies and partner agencies, offering  technical and legal expertise to improve the effectiveness of national asylum processes.  In addition to immediate protection measures, UNHCR is committed to promoting and seeking  durable solutions for refugees and stateless persons with a strong focus on local integration as a sustainable pathway for those settling in Malta. Recognising the importance of societal inclusion, UNHCR places a high priority on raising public awareness about asylum and refugee issues, fostering greater understanding and empathy within Maltese society.

Ms Munovarova highlighted the fruitful cooperation with the Government of Malta and on-going collaboration. She also elaborated on some challenges   encountered, including access to effective remedy in the context of applying accelerated procedures, reception and detention conditions,  access to education for some children, elderly refugees’ access to active ageing services, and family reunification possibility for subsidiary protection status holders.  . She stressed the importance of proactive engagement and coordination with the Government and relevant authorities to address these concerns and improve opportunities for local integration and self-reliance.

In his closing remarks, the Ombudsman expressed appreciation for the invaluable work carried out by UNHCR in its day-to-day activities. He reaffirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman is accessible to all persons, including those seeking protection, should they feel aggrieved by acts or omissions of the public service and/or the public administration. The Ombudsman also welcomed continued collaboration with UNHCR Representation to Malta and NGOs working in the field of migration and asylum.

Ms Marcelle Bugre Zanya, Associate Durable Solutions Officer, and Mr Joseph Meli, Assistant Communications Officer, from UNHCR Representation to Malta, as well as Mr Paul Borg, Director General, and Mr Jurgen Cassar, Head of Communications and Research, from the Office of the Ombudsman, were also present for the meeting.